Labour's zero-hour contract reforms could cost UK firms £3bn annually

New Labour government reforms targeting zero-hour contracts could impose an annual cost of up to £2.9 billion on British businesses. A government impact assessment projects a net cost ranging from £300 million to £1.4 billion, factoring in potential economic benefits. However, industry bodies express concerns that the actual financial burden on businesses may exceed these estimates.

In parallel, proposed reforms to grant legal rights to unmarried couples after three years of cohabitation are encountering significant criticism from legal professionals. These critics warn of potentially 'horrendous' court costs associated with the proposed changes. Furthermore, they highlight a perceived lack of public mandate for such reforms.

The reforms, championed by Justice Secretary Alex Norris, aim to allow courts to divide assets between cohabiting couples in a manner similar to divorce proceedings. This would introduce a new legal framework for long-term unmarried partnerships, potentially altering property and asset division in cases of separation.

While the zero-hour contract reforms focus on employment practices and potential business costs, the cohabitation reforms address family law and property rights for unmarried couples. Both sets of reforms represent significant policy shifts under the new Labour government, with potential economic and social implications.